Need Help!

[Watermom]

It is NOT the same as Borax. D.E. (Diatomaceous earth) powder is the filter media used in D.E. filters. It can actually filter out smaller stuff than a sand filter. Many of us with sand filters add a little to help it filter out the small stuff. You can read more info about it in the following thread:

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=3742

When will you be home? It would help to know if you are losing more than 1ppm of chlorine from sundown to sunup the next day. We recommend that people keep a high cl level until they aren't losing more than 1ppm of cl overnight.

How does the water look?

[wxwmn02]

Ok, that sounds good and it probably will help. I have heard that a "dirty" sand filter is a little better than a clean one because there is less open areas between the sand to filter the water.

As of yesterday the water was still cloudy.

I will be home tomorrow so I can get a ready Friday night and then again early Saturday morning.

[wxwmn02]

Just checked pool chem levels. TC = 8. I added bleach to bring it back up to 15. I will check tomorrow morning for new level. I am about out of test kit chemicals. Would a pool store have that?

Water is clearing. I can see down to 3rd step on ladder whereas before I could only see to 2nd step.

Can I get DE at pool store as well? Do I need to add Borax?

I will check for the other chem levels and get back to you.

[Watermom]

A pool store should have refills and DE. How many times a day are you testing and adding bleach? Since you are back in town, tomorrow, if I was you, I would test and add more bleach every 3-4 hours throughout the weekend until you get to where you are not losing more than 1ppm of cl overnight. And, run the pump 24/7. Are you watching your filter pressure?

I don't know if you need Borax or not. You didn't list your pH. Actually, post a whole set of current water testing results.

[wxwmn02]

I was planning on checking many times tomorrow. I plan on checking tomorrow morning before the sun hits the pool and then a couple more times during the day.

I need to check my pressure. I have only been home an hour so have only had time to check pool chemicals. I'll check the rest of the stuff when things calm down a little bit.

Current chem levels:
CH = 180
CYA = 52
TA = 90
PH = 7.2
FC = 8

I know the PH is low so I plan on adding stuff for that.

[Watermom]

You are actually ok with pH of 7.2 as long as it goes no lower. Sometimes, it seems that chlorine works better at clearing a pool when the pH is on the low end of the normal range.

[wxwmn02]

Things are on hold until I can get refills for the chemicals in my kit. Went to two pool stores yesterday and both were out of what I need. I have been adding bleach periodically to try and keep up the level even though I am unsure of what it is. I have a general idea of what it is because of the strips I have, but certainly don't know the exact level.

We've had a lot of rain lately so I am sure that it's affecting the Chlorine. Also, when I backwash, it doesn't appear to be working correctly so I am unsure how to fix that. Because of that I haven't put in D.E. because I'm afraid I won't be able to get it out by backwashing. I am hoping to take the valve in on Thursday to see what the problem is (if any) with that.

Any ideas on what could be wrong with the backwashing.

[wxwmn02]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!! It helps to have the pool on the right setting. Had the pool on recirculate vs filter. Pool is clear.